Western Province coach Allister Coetzee has hinted at a possible surprise in his loose trio for the match against the Golden Lions on Saturday. BRENTON CHELIN reports.

We've just passed the halfway point of the competition and things are going well for last season's finalists. They remain unbeaten and have progressed from the staid approach seen in the early parts of the Super Rugby season.

However, with away matches against the Lions, Pumas and Free State Cheetahs to come, Coetzee might freshen things up.

'If Rynhardt [Elstadt] had to be ruled out [after being cited in the win over the EP Kings], then we would have to look at our options for the bench. Siya [Kolisi] can cover at No 8, he's done it for us before. So there could be a surprise there.'

Kolisi has been invigorated since missing out on selection for Heyneke Meyer's Bok squad and closely resembles the player who made his international debut against Scotland midway through last year. Where has it all changed?

'Siya has upped his work rate tremendously,' said Coetzee. 'It wasn't anything psychological, he just needed to work harder, and he's done that.

'He was good in the carry this weekend and got through a lot of work on defence again.'

Nizaam Carr was another who impressed on defence at the weekend, making 13 tackles and missing just one in a much-improved defensive effort.

'Nizaam was overreaching a bit maybe,' admitted Coetzee.

'Once you start to tire then your physicality tapers and you tend to slip off one or two tackles. We've managed him accordingly, but we'll continue to monitor him going forward.'

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